Monday, June 27, 2011

Today I'm at Karen's lovely blog, KMN Books, sharing some interesting tidbits about lavender and how it played into my recent paranormal, The Magic of Lavender.

I hope you'll check it out and chat a bit!

I'm also in the Author Spotlight at Long and Short Reviews all week - I hope to see you! Comment there for a chance to win my contemporary, Rock Bottom. Today I'm talking about people who reinvent themselves. Come on over and share your thoughts.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

To celebrate, I'm switching my SSS snippets to this fun contemporary, about rock journalist Billie Prescott, who's just arrived in Malibu to cover Rock Bottom, the reality dating show of has-been rocker Jet Trently. Billie and Jet don't quite hit it off right away:

“My interest in you extends as far as my employer defines. Not one millimeter beyond.” To admit any fascination with him would fuel his ego to wildfire strength. She couldn’t be responsible for California spontaneously combusting. Or the coiling of her insides when his gaze pierced hers, stripping her naked. Like now.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

This afternoon I'll be at the Coffee Time Romance Chatters Yahoo loop, chatting about how Romance Rocks! I'm also giving away a PDF of Rock Bottom, my contemporary rockin' romance novel. :) I'll be there from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern, so I hope you'll stop over and chat a bit! You do have to sign up for the Yahoo group ahead of time, so if you're not already a member, you should be! There's always lots going on there.

I was captivated by this story just from its blurb. I am a very big music fan and did watch Rock of Love so I found it very interesting to see how an author could make a story from that concept. And Cate Masters did it perfectly! One of the things I am very fond of when I read is the imagery authors try to portrait and Cate does it beautifully. The way she describes the scenery of the house, the hills and sand gives you a perfect picture in your mind. She showed just how important communication is in any relationship, just to say what is on your mind and not assume or guess what the other person might be feeling or thinking. The chemistry, tension and conflicts between the characters were written exceptionally well, made me keep turning the page to see how they were going to resolve some of their issues. She writes a perfect example of forbidden love….knowing you shouldn’t be with that particular person but just can’t deny it and have that inability to say no. It had just the right amount of steamy scenes as well, did not feel thrown in just for the sake of having one like some other stories I have read. Anyone who grew up in the 80’s will appreciate the music references in this book as well, had be nodding my head yes in more than one occasion lol.

Woot! Ivelese made my week! Thanks so much!

Here's the blurb:

For rocker Jet Trently, success means playing the same platinum-selling hits over and over. Philly rock journalist Billie Prescott thrives on covering the latest releases. When her editor sends her to Malibu to cover Jet’s reality dating show, Rock Bottom, her blog’s success keeps her trapped there. Her life’s at Rock Bottom too, until she hears Jet’s new songs. They touch her heart as his music did when she was 15. When Jet touches her heart as well, will the reality show ruin the real thing?

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Thanks so much to everyone who visits, and especially for your comments! They mean a lot to me.

Here's another snippet from my paranormal romance, The Magic of Lavender, Book One of The Goddess Connection.

To set up the scene, veterinarian Eric Hendricks has fallen for his new neighbor, Joss Gibson. He doesn't realize this makes him a target of the Lord of the Underworld and his minions, who want to control the energy in the ley lines beneath the inn Joss bought.

Eric's in the shower, and he's not alone... mwahaha!

Water ran in rivulets down the opaque glass shower door. He tensed at seeing the outline of a small hand, smaller than a child’s.

Like images on photographic paper, small hands appeared randomly, one by one, disappearing as quickly as they came.

If you have time in between reading all the wonderful snippets, please pop over and visit me at Sherry Gloag's blog. I'll be there for the next four days, giving some background on my latest releases. Hope to see you there! Psst, Sherry's also looking for authors to feature... I am too - check the Author Spotlight and Author Chat pages. Just shoot me an email if you're interested.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

The hero and heroine of Rock Bottom are both flawed characters, my favorite kind. I love creating such characters. Their flaws provide a realistic touch, and make them more complex.

Billie Prescott's real first name is Willamina. She hates it! Writing as a rock journalist, her byline appears more professional skewed toward male, so she goes by Billie. Writing for a rock magazine in Philadelphia gives her the perfect opportunity to combine her love of music with her career. She's savvy, snarky, and just a tad snobbish about what she considers great music. In her teens, she idolized Jet Trently, whose love ballads made her heart pound faster, and whose rock anthems made her feet pound on the dance floor. A seasoned reporter, she's been around enough rock stars to have built up an immunity. So she thinks!Rachel Weisz has all of Billie's qualities - from sweet to snarky, savvy to soft when the circumstances warrant. Plus she's gorgeous! But not in a way that suggests she spent all day in front of the mirror.

Jet Trently's a true rock star who can go from raunchy to sweet in a chord change. He's had a rough road and sometimes it shows, either in his bittersweet songs or in his reluctance to trust. Being the star of his own reality dating show, Rock Bottom, it's difficult for Jet to know where to draw the line. He trusts Stu, his manager, too often. But does Stu have Jet's best interests at heart? Hmm...

This old pic of Brad Pitt fit the image of Jet in my head pretty well. The model on the book cover's a close match too.

When Billie first leaves Philly for Malibu, she's distraught that she has to leave Everett behind. She's been after her editor for nearly two years, and has just spent a great weekend with him. In her heart of hearts, Billie can't quite see them as a longterm couple, and her hopes dwindle when he assigns her this story, forcing her to leave.Everett's another flawed character. He doesn't know what he wants, so he doesn't rule anything - or anyone - out. Distance from Billie, he thinks, will help provide perspective, and yes, freedom.Billie thinks Everett looks like Chris Cornell. I think he looks like Dermot Mulroney! lol

Zinta is Billie's best friend and lifeline to sanity. She's gorgeous and witty, caring and wise. Elisha Cuthbert fits the role as perfectly as she fits that red dress. :)

Justin's tall and lanky, a bit of a nerd when it comes to his work as cameraman for the Rock Bottom show. He takes his work seriously but likes the perks it brings - mostly that he gets to film beautiful girls all day. Joel David Moore was always Justin, in my head, right down to his somewhat whiny voice.

Cindy, the assistant on the Rock Bottom set, has to keep the peace plus keep things running smoothly, both on and off the set. She's a workaholic who doesn't have time for friendship, but she's friendly enough to all. Except when things get a little rough. As gatekeeper, Cindy can either be Billie's worst obstacle to Jet, or a fount of information. Melissa McCarthy would be great as Cindy.

Thanks for checking out this Casting Call! As always, it's been fun to show you who played these roles in my head as I wrote the story.

You can find other Casting Calls either through the Blog Series tab above, or through the books themselves.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Today I'm visiting the wonderful blog Heroines with Hearts. I hope you'll pop over and say hi! I'm sharing a little background about The Magic of Lavender, my newly released paranormal romance novel. I'm giving away a PDF to a commenter, so come on over!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Yay, I received the rights back for my paranormal novella, One Soul for Sale, which I've republished. It's now available from Amazon and Smashwords titled Soul for Sale. For just $1.99!

As soon as I saw this image, I snapped it up. If you're familiar with the story, you know Madelyn's grey cat plays a pivotal part. If you're not familiar with the story, I hope you read it! Did I mention it's just $1.99? And that it was a 2011 EPIC finalist? :)

I revised it a bit, rewriting it in past tense instead of present.

Reviews described the story as “outstanding,” a “riveting read… I couldn’t stop until I hit the last page.”

Monday, June 13, 2011

Okay, I love all my stories but this one's especially special to me. The heroine, Billie Prescott, is smart and snarky. Her passion is music, and as a rock journalist, she combines her personal passion with her professional life. I wish I were her!

Jet Trently is every rock star I loved growing up, but more heroic. Also smart and snarky, he makes music that touches every woman's heart and soul. *sigh* lol

Here's the blurb:

For rocker Jet Trently, success means playing the same platinum-selling hits over and over. Philly rock journalist Billie Prescott thrives on covering the latest releases. When her editor sends her to Malibu to cover Jet’s reality dating show, Rock Bottom, her blog’s success keeps her trapped there. Her life’s at Rock Bottom too, until she hears Jet’s new songs. They touch her heart as his music did when she was 15. When Jet touches her heart as well, will the reality show ruin the real thing?

Here's a mini-excerpt, just after Billie arrives in Malibu to meet the producers of Rock Bottom, Jet Trently's reality dating show:

Billie had a feeling she’d just made Jet’s Lust Have list, though she had no doubt the list, if printed, would require reams of paper. If he licked his lips, she’d be out of there before he could retract his tongue. “You’re expecting me, aren’t you?”

Like she didn’t get that same response every freakin’ time. Biting back a snide reply, she forced out, “Do you have an information packet for me? Something that will help me catch up on where season one ended?”

Stu glanced at Jet. “Cindy can put something together.”

Jet tilted his head. “Not a fan, eh?”

If she didn’t know better, she’d think he appeared pleased.

Wrinkling her nose, she grinned. Let that be answer enough.

“Pity you weren’t a contestant.” He arched a brow and turned to the third man. “Now there’s an idea.”